NWC News Desk

Second computer science endorsement cohort at NWC open to K-12 educators

Posted March 25, 2021
By NWC News Desk

Following Gov. Mark Gordon’s statewide initiative Wyoming Innovation Network (WIN), the second computer science endorsement cohort at Northwest College is now open to local K-12 educators who wish to integrate computer science into their curricula.

The WIN initiative calls for closer collaboration between the University of Wyoming and the state’s community colleges and an emphasis on developing innovative solutions that will support and enhance Wyoming’s economy and workforce.

According to NWC Professor of Engineering and Mathematics Astrid Northrup, “WIN has provided direction for NWC to create professional development opportunities for area K-12 faculty to gain credentials in computer science and computational thinking.” 

The five courses required to receive the endorsement through NWC are Introduction to Computer Science, Computer Science I, Social Media for K-12 Teachers, Application Development and Robotics.

Students can begin the endorsement by taking Intro to Computer Science and/or Social Media for K-12 Teachers, which starts at NWC Monday, June 14, or get started with a one-day Robotics lab Saturday, May 29.

The first cohort of local K-12 teachers will soon graduate with their endorsement from NWC to teach computer science in their classrooms.

Graduates include Katie Berry, Andrew Borcher, Denise Catlin, Jeana Croft, Brandi Dearcorn, Steven Durtsche, Jeffery Greaham, Necole Hanks, Tracy McArthur, Michelle Mullins, Astrid Northrup, Scott Schaffer, Elisabeth White and Wilmer Zollman.

“I’m so proud of this group of people,” Northrup said. “They are all education professionals from all different fields and levels.”

K-12 professionals who are interested in joining the second cohort and earning the computer science endorsement at NWC are encouraged to contact Northrup at Astrid.Northrup@nwc.edu or 307-754-6066.